Newin to build F1 racetrack

Published: 24 Jan 2013 at 18.17
Online news: News

Politician-turned-football club owner Newin Chidchob plans to construct a Formula One racetrack worth about two billion baht in his hometown Buri Ram, Thai Rath reported on Thursday.

The president of Buriram United, dubbed ‘Thunder castle’, has contacted Hermann Tilke, the founder of Tilke Engineers & Architects that has built dozens of racetracks worldwide and renovated several others, to discuss the planned construction, Thai Rath reported, quoting a source at the club.

The source said Mr Newin, besides being a football lover, was also a big fan of motor sports and he wanted Thailand to have an international-standard racetrack certified by the global motor racing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), that could be used for staging Formula One -- the top class of world motor car racing.

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CMfarang
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Discussion 14 : 27 Jan 2013 at 17.4414
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Thai people cannot afford Futsal tickets let alone F-1.
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tomatslick
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Discussion 13 : 25 Jan 2013 at 20.0513
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To get the Thai public hooked on F1, Thailand needs a popular Thai F1 driver. Before Fernando Alonso, F1 was low priority in Spain. Since 2005 he has almost been worshipped, and now Spain has two GPs a year, in Catalunya and in Valencia. Red Bull has the money. It brought Mark Webber to Bangkok to drive some demo runs in December 2010. So F1 could eventually happen, but it needs some Thai heroes racing on the World stage first. And that will take a lot of hard work.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 12 : 25 Jan 2013 at 17.2112
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F1 track was another one of the PT cronies pet projects. Don't be surprise to see the government footing a big part of the bill to "bring" in more tourism. I think motor sports is big in Thailand, but majority of the people won't be able to afford the tickets. Just look at ROC and how many people pay to watch. Tickets needs to be 200-500 baht in order to attract a crowd, but at that level its not sustainable to host a F1 event. F1 fees go for tens of millions per season.
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tomatslick
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Discussion 11 : 25 Jan 2013 at 16.2511
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Look closely at the photos of the race of champions event in Bangkok in December. Was the stadium packed, or not? You can judge the level of interest in motorsport in Thailand by the number of seats with bums on them.
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bonzo
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Discussion 10 : 25 Jan 2013 at 00.3610
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I’m guessing he likes football because you get to change ends at half-time. I’m guessing he likes F1 because you get to go round and round in circles making a lot of unnecessary noise.
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drsmith
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Discussion 9 : 24 Jan 2013 at 23.469
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When you waste the peoples money you earned through corrupt governing no one cares if it's a financial disaster or not. Newin is blowing smoke and showing his ignorance here. How many world class hotel rooms in Buriram? None. Thailand cannot even build a futsol stadium to pass inspection let alone a F1 track. I agree Thai's have no interest in F1, farangs have no interest in staying in Buriram. All talk won't ever be any action.
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flashflood
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Discussion 8 : 24 Jan 2013 at 23.348
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My, what deep pockets you have Khun Newin.
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cinbkk
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Discussion 7 : 24 Jan 2013 at 21.367
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Buriram doesn't quite fit in with the likes of Spa, Monza, Monaco and Silverstone. Seeing the quality of roadworks now, I hope the F1 cars can cope with potholes and disintegrating tarmac. At least the teams will have plenty to eat when the food vendors set up their carts in the pit lane.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 6 : 24 Jan 2013 at 21.086
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"There is clearly no interest in F1 in Thailand..." What Thais could afford to watch it? Has he any idea what F1 tickets usually go for? I'd love to watch an F1 race, but I can't see paying the prices they even ask in Malaysia.
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bigpicture
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Discussion 5 : 24 Jan 2013 at 20.135
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Khun Newin, is this a "build it and they will come" idea. IN this part of Asia there is a very good venue in Malaysia. Why do you think Thailand needs this? It could be self gratification, nothing else to do with personal wealth or simply a bad idea. Use your money to truly help the country. Build schools, enhance local clinics, improve local transportation(songtaews). IMHO.
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Newin to build F1 racetrack | Bangkok Post: business